Hurricanes News

Rask the OT Hero for Carolina

TRAVERSE CITY – With the kind of week he’s having, it’s no wonder this is Victor Rask’s third tour of duty at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City.

Rask was the overtime hero for the Carolina Hurricanes, scoring the game-winning goal on a seeing-eye shot with just 1:39 left in the extra period to give Carolina a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers.

“I think everyone was pretty tired at that point,” Rask said. “Ginner (McGinn) made a good play and blocked the other guy. I had good space, and I just threw it at the net.”

“He shows his experience from playing a year pro, and he shows what the potential of what he’s hoping to be,” head coach Jeff Daniels said. “He’s a solid two-way guy that’s responsible defensively but can also make plays offensively. He’s got a great shot.”

Rask’s goal, his fourth of the tournament and second of the game, was scored as the two teams were three-on-three, opening up the ice for all sorts of skating room.

“I kind of like it,” Rask said.

“I thought it was good. It was exciting,” Daniels said. “If they’re looking for some excitement and back-and-forth, I think that’s definitely the way to go.”

The Hurricanes’ power play continues to be potent, with two thirds of their offensive output coming on the man advantage. With little to no special teams practice time, the team’s success boils down to icing skill players and letting them work their magic.

“We all kind of practice the same things throughout the year, and we just want to go out there and keep it simple – just getting pucks toward the net,” said Brock McGinn, who scored the team’s first goal on the power play. “I think we’re doing a real good job with that right now, and it’s working for us.”

“You put your most skilled guys out there and let them do what they do best. It’s not something you get a chance to work on because it’s such a short tournament,” Daniels said. “We tell the guys to just use their skill and not complicate things.”

Nedeljkovic made 16 saves on 18 shots, facing significantly less work than he did in Friday’s 6-1 win over Buffalo as the defense tightened up in front of him.

“I thought we were real solid. Now with three games under their belt, they have a little bit of chemistry, and they’re reading off each other on the back-end,” Daniels said. “We talked some systems stuff defensively, and the guys are buying in. They showed that tonight.”

With the victory, the Canes finish in second place in the Ted Lindsay Division with five points. They will face their Gordie Howe Division standings opposite – the Detroit Red Wings – for third place in the tournament on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

“This tournament is here for all of us to have fun together and build as a team, so coming out there with an overtime win definitely builds our confidence going into the next game,” McGinn said.

“We know we’re a good team,” Rask said. “We just need to keep it going.”